TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– Media images of unrealistic beauty have been identified as a determinant of women's body dissatisfaction. This experimental study aims to explore whether the negative impact of such images could be reduced by a one‐time educational intervention consisting of a presentation and discussion, teaching women to be critical of media images.Design/methodology/approach– Female psychology students (n=176) from a university in the UK were randomly assigned to the control or intervention group and completed measures of body dissatisfaction after being challenged by images of the perfect female body. Follow up data were collected four weeks later.Findings– The results suggested that the intervention had no immediate buffering effect on body dissatisfaction but participants in the intervention group showed a long‐term improvement for confidence, attractiveness and body‐parts dissatisfaction.Practical implications– This one‐time intervention could be used to protect young women against the detrimental impact of media images in the longer term.Originality/value– This study provides an evidence base for the use of an educational intervention for young people in schools and colleges.
VL  - 111
IS  - 5
SN  - 0965-4283
DO  - 10.1108/09654281111161239
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/09654281111161239
AU  - Ogden Jane
AU  - Smith Lauren
AU  - Nolan Helen
AU  - Moroney Rachel
AU  - Lynch Hannah
ED  - Ray Marks
PY  - 2011
Y1  - 2011/01/01
TI  - The impact of an educational intervention to protect women against the influence of media images
T2  - Health Education
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 412
EP  - 424
Y2  - 2024/04/16
ER  -